Slides in this set

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Serotonin and aggression (biochemical)Davidson ­ serotonin may have inhibitory function onaggression so high levels of serotonin reduces aggressivelevels. Serotonin a neurotransmitter has a calming effect onthe body. - When comparing violent criminals and non-violent criminals, levels of serotonin found in violent criminals was much lower. - Serotonin can have effects on the body, low serotonin in the brain leads to impulsive behaviour, aggression, overeating, depression, alcohol abuse and violent suicide.…read more

Slide 3

Serotonin and aggression (biochemical)Animal research also supports this:- Mice where the serotonin 1 B receptor was not functioningfound increase in aggressive behaviour-Vervet monkeys where serotonin levels where decreasedand the monkeys aggressive behaviour increased. Whenserotonin levels where increased the aggressive behaviourdecreased. - white foxes that had been tamed by humans for over 30 years had high levels of serotonin)…read more

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Serotonin and aggression (biochemical)Reducing levels of serotonin causes an increase inaggressive tendencies as low levels of serotonin are linkedto impulsive and explosive acts of violence. Caution isneeded over such findings as globally acting serotonindrugs which increase levels of serotonin do not modifylevels of aggression.…read more

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Serotonin and aggression evaluation· The studies cannot be generalised as most where done in western cultures· Animals are completely different species so will react differently to humans however monkeys are very similar species so the findings are backed up· Lots of studies showing consistent results shows accuracy· Determinist as low levels of serotonin causes person to be aggressive no free will· Nature nurture argument. Is serotonin purely biological or does the persons surroundings effect their serotonin levels (shown in fact white foxes where tamed)· Serotonin was not measured at the time of aggressive behaviour as this is very hard to do, not entirely accurate results.…read more

Slide 6

Testosterone and aggressionTestosterone is associated with athletic qualitiesincluding aggressive behaviour. This is supported bythe fact that when testing 94 athletes their testosteronelevels deferred according to the sport that they played,more aggressive sports had higher testosterone levels.However there is a small sample size so it cannot begeneralised to whole population.Another study found that after giving testosterone tomen then asking them to play a frustrating computergame, aggressive responses where significantlyincreased. However these effects where not the samein all participants and the changes where mainlypsychological. For example the participants mayrespond more aggressively as they think this is how theresearcher wants them to respond.…read more